Drain valve



Allg. 2l, 1934. p, F, MUELLER 1,971,304

DRAIN VALVE Filed Sept. 2l, 1931 8 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 21, 1934 v 1,971,304 VDRAIN vALvE Paul F; Mueller, Ocean Park, Va., assignor to v Berkley Machine Works isV Foundry Go., Inc.,

Norfolk, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application September Z1, 1931, Serial No. 564,233

9 Claims. (Cl. 121-134) This invention relates to valves and, more particularly, to such especially adapted to drain fluid containers such as locomotive cylinders.

The principal object of my invention, generally.

- considered, is to provide a drain valve device involving a casing divided by a ported partition into a chamber normally connected to the locomotive cylinder or other container to be drained and the other open to the atmosphere, said partition being formed with a valve seat on each side around said port, and a valve stem extending through said port and having a pair of valves mounted thereon on opposite sides of said partition and normally spaced from the seats thereof, said stem being mounted for axial movement whereby one of the valves is adapted to close the port through the partition in accordance with the relative pressure on `opposite sides thereof, said stem being balanced so that the valves are normally in neu- `2i) tral position, leaving the port open.,

Another object of rnyinvention is the provision of a drain valve device as just described in which the partition is formed `in the main body oi the valve, the chamber open to the atmosphere having connected thereto an end closure mem:-

ber, and a huid-actuated piston in said closure member for positively moving said valve stem.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a drain valve device, as previously described, to the main body of which is attached an end closure member serving as a valve stem guide and containing springs for balancing said valve stem in neutral position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become opparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my inven tion, the scope whereof is dened by the appended claimsr- Figure l is a horizontal sectional View of one embodiment of my drain valve device and an as` s'ociated three-way valve for the actuation thereof. Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. s p

Referring to the drawing 1n detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown a drain valve device 1 particularly adapted to be connected to a steam cylinder, not

.55 shown, of a locomotive or steam engine for draining the water of condensation therefrom in any desired manner, asby means of a steam pipe 2. The steam pipe 2 preferably extends from that side of the device toward the locomotive or engine v60 and av discharge port 3 is desirably provided on the other side of the valve device, as shown most clearly in Figure 1.

The device 1 comprises a casing 4 preferably composed of three parts or sections, a main or body section 5, a drain end section 6, and a steam pressure end section 7. All of said sections 5, 6 and 'l are desirably flanged and connected to-` gether as by means of tap bolts 8. The end sections 6 and 'fclose the ends of the main cavity.9 in the body section 5 whereby, upon removal of said end sections, free access is given to the body section for cleaning or repair. i

The main cavity 9 in the body or middle section 5 is `divided by a partition 1() into two compartments or chambers, that is, a pressure chamber l1 and a drainage chamber A12. The partition 10 has an aperture 4or port 13 therethrough, which port normally receives the stem 14 of a valve 15, which is desirably of the poppet type, adapted to engage a valve seat 16 formed around the port 13 for closing said port upon the admission of pressure to the chamber 11. The ends of the stem 14 are loosely mounted for longitudinal or reciprocating movement in the closure member 7 and a piston 17 mounted in the other closure member 6.

Mounted on the stem 14 in the drainage compartment 12, Vfor simultaneous axial movement with the `valve 15, is another valve 18 preferably similar to the `valve 15, adapted to engage a seat 18' formed around the port 13 on the side of the partition 10 opposite to the seat 16. The valve 18 is desirably held in place as by means of a nut 19. threaded on the stem, a boss or hub 19 desirably serving to space the valves 15 and 18 a distance apart suitable for insuring that the 'port 13 is normally open but adapted for closure by one of said valves upon normal movement of said stem 414.

In order to insure that the valves 15 and 18 will remain in neutral positions, unresponsive to liquid `of low velocity or not under appreciable or substantial pressure, and normally leave the port 13 open, the end of the valve stem 14, whichis mounted in a guide or guiding portion 20 of the closure member '7, has a washer or spring abutmentv member 20 held thereon by means oi a shoulder on the 'stem and a nut 21 threaded to a reduced end section of said stem and disposed between balancing springs 22 and 23. The springs 22 and 23 are received in a chamber 24 in the closure member 7 and held under the de-` sired adjusted compression by means of a springadjusting screw 2 5 and associated lock nut 26, the end of said screw desirably having a springcentering extension 2'7. Instead of the screw and lock nut, an ordinary pipe plug of the proper size may be employed, if desired. Because the chamber 11 is normally under steam pressure, a gasket 28 may desirably be used to prevent leakage be-v tween the-closure member rland the body 5 of the casing. I

To provide for opening the valve 15 against the pressure of steam the chamber 11, when desired, the auxiliary piston 17, in which the adjacent end of the valve stem 14 reciprocates, has an extension or plunger 29 mounted in a corresponding guide portion 30 of the closure member 6, which plunger limits outward movement of the piston .1.7 under the infiuence of the return spring 31 so that the fluid admission port 32 to the interior of the end closure member 6 is kept open. The port 32 is desirably connected by means of a pipe 33 to a three-way valve 34 in any convenient place, such as the cab of the locomotive, which valve is adapted to admit fluid pressure, such as air or steam, from a pipe 35 connected to a source of such pressure, or release the pressure in the closure member 6 to the atmosphere through a pipe 36, as desired, so as to positively move the piston 17 to open the Valve 15 or allow the piston to be returned by the spring 3i and the valve 15 to be closed by pressure in the charnber 1l.

In order to provide for drainage and prevent the accumulation of water which might interfere with the free operation of the valve device, vents and drain holes 37 are desirably provided from the cavity in the guide portion 3G receiving the plunger 29, from the guide cavity 3S receiving the adjacent end of the stem 14, and from the bal ancing spring chamber 24, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. In order to use the same form of valve on either side of a locomotive, said valve is adapted for reversal by removing the plug 39 which is aligned with the steam inlet pipe 2 and connecting the steam inlet pipe to the threaded portion 40 formerly receiving said plug, and closing the threaded portion 41 formerly receiving the steam or drain pipe 2, by means of the plug 39.

The operation of the device is as follows:- When a locomotive or engine equipped with such a device is relieved from service and the steam shut off from the associated cylinder (not shown) the residual steam in said cylinder will condense, forming water which will tend to accumulate. This water will drain to the chamber 1l from the pipe 2 and the valves in their normal balanced position, as shown in Figures l and 2, will allow said water to pass therebetween and through the port 13 into the drainage chamber 12 and out of the drain port 3.

When the engine or locomotive is in use, after the water of condensation has drained ofi, live steam entering the intake chamber 11 Will exert pressure on the valve 5 and close it against the relatively small pressure of the balancing spring 22, and keep said valve closed as long as any pressure is in the particular end of the cylinder to which connected. On the other hand, when the engine is allowed to drift, with the steam shut oi, the partial vacuum produced in the cylinder will cause atmospheric pressure to close the Valve 18 in the drainage chamber 12 and prevent air from entering the cylinder. During this operation, as in the former operation, the only resistance offered against the closing of one of the floating valves is the negligible amount of friction between the Valve stem and its guides, plus the resistance oifered by the affected balancing spring, which spring is sensitive enough to be easily overcome by slight pressures acting on the flat backs of the valves in the chambers. Those skilled in the art will readily see that flat valves, such as here employed, which are mounted for axial movement only, are much more sensitive than other types of valves, such as ball Valves, thereby resulting in increased promptness of action and sensitiveness to huid pressure.

If, for any reason, it is desred to open the drain cock against steam pressure while the engine is running, this is accomplished by actuation of the three-way valve 34.- to admit fluid pressure to the compartment 41 in the closure member 6 behind the piston i7 to actuate said piston against the pressure of its spring 3l to push the Valves 18 and l5 to neutral position, as shown in Figures l and 2, said piston being prevented from movement beyond such position by engaging the end 42 of the casing portion 5 which desirably protrudes into the piston-receiving cavity of the closure member 6, thereby preventing closing the valve 18. In the same way, the plunger 29 engaging the stop portion 42' of the extension 30 prevents closing of the fluid inlet port 32. The piston 17 may be provided with rings 43 to keep it tight in the closure member 6, if desired.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised an improved form of cylinder cock which is ordinarily automatic in its action for discharging condensed Water from an associated steam cylinder, but which may be actuated when the associated engine is in operation by admitting fiuid pressure to act on an asson ciated valve opening piston. On account of employing a double balanced poppet Valve which engages seats on either side of an associated partition, not only is the water of condensation discharged when formed in the cylinder, but air is prevented from being sucked in during a drifting operation. Because of the manner of constructing the valve device, it may readily be taken apart for cleaning' and repair, such as grinding the valves and Valve seats.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention has been illustrated, it will be understood that modifications may be made Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing with a partition forming two coms partments, one of which is adapted to be connected to a iiuid container yto be drained, and the other of which is open to the atmosphere, said partition having a valve seat around a port therethrough on both faces thereof, a pair of valves mounted on a stem extending through said port and movable axially thereof to engage one or the other valve seat to cut off a new of fluid through said port in one direction or the other, or stand spaced from both, and resilient means acting on said valve stem to normally hold the valves spaced from the seats,

2. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed of middle and end sections connected when removed, leaving the middle section open, said middle section having a partition forming two compartments, one of said compartments being adapted for connection to a iiuid container to be drained and the other open to the atmosg,

phere, said partition being formed with a valve seat around a port therethrough on both faces thereof, a valve with a stern extending through said port, guided by one of said sections, and

movable axially thereof to engage one of said L valve seats to stop a now of fluid through said port in one direction, another valve mounted on the stem on the other side of said partition and adapted to engage the other valve seat to stop a flow of fluid through said port in the other directogether, said end sections,

tion, and spring-means disposed in the end section by which the stem is guided and cooperating with said stern to normally balance it in neutral position with the valves spaced from the seats.

3. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed as a body portion andanend closure member, said body portion having a partition forming a chamber on one side adapted to be connected to a fluid container to be drained and one on the other side open to the atmosphere, said partition having a port therethrough and a valve seat around said port on both faces of said partition, a pair of valves mounted on a stem extending through said port and movable axially thereof to engage one or the other seat to close the port passage of fluid in one direction or the other or stand spaced from both, a piston mounted for axial movement in said end closure member for moving said valve stem, said piston being actuated for that purpose by iiuid pressure and returned by spring means, and other spring means acting on said valve stem for normally holding said valves in neutral position and spaced from their seats.

4. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing, a partition dividing said casing into two chambers, one of said chambers being normally connected to a iiuid container to be drained and the other open to the atmosphere, said partition having an aperture therethrough and a valve seat formed around said aperture on each side of said partition, a pair of poppet valves disposed one in each chamber, one of said valves having a stem and the other valve mounted on said stem, means mounting said stem for axial movement whereby said valves are adapted to alternately close said aperture to passage of fluid in one direction or the other, and spring means acting on an end portion of said stem for normally holding said valves spaced from said seats.

5. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed of ,middle and end sections connected together, said middle section having a partition forming a chamber on one side adapted to be connected to a fluid container to be drained and one on the other side open to the atmosphere, said partition having a port therethrough and a valve seat around said port on both faces of said partition, a piston mounted for axial movement in one of said end sections, a valve stem passing through said port, loosely carried by said piston at one end, adapted to be moved thereby and loosely mounted at the other end in the other end section, a pair of valves mounted on said stem and adapted to engage one seat or the other or stand spaced from both, and spring means mounted in said other end section and cooperating with said stem to hold the valves in spaced relation with respect to their seats 6. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed as a body portion and an end closure member, said body portion having a partition forming a chamber on one side adapted to be connected to a fluid container to be drained and one on the other side open to the atmosphere, said partition having a port therethrough and a valve seat around said port on both faces of said partition, a stem extending through said port and adapted to move axially thereof, a pair of valves mounted on said stem, one of said valves being adapted to engage one and the other the other seat or stand spaced from both, a guide formed in said closure member, one end of said stem being loosely mounted in said guide, said closure member having a chamber formed beyond said guide, said stem carrying a spring abutment member in said chamber, and a spring disposed in said chamber on either side of said abutment member for holding said stem balanced in neutral position with the valves open.

7. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed as a body portion and an end closure member, said body portion having a partition forming a chamber on one side adapted to be connected to a iiuid container to be drained and one on the other side open to the atmosphere, said partition having a port therethrough and a valve seat around said port on both faces of said partition, a stem extending through said port and adap'ted to move axially thereof, a pair of valves mounted on said stem, one of said valves being adapted to engage one and the other the other seat or stand spaced from both, a guide formed in said closure member, one end oi said stem being loosely mounted in said guide, said closure member having a chamber formed beyond said guide, said stem carrying adjacent its end a spring abutment member in said chamber, a spring disposed in said chamber on either side of and in engagement with said abutment member for holding the stem in a position in which both valves are spaced from their seats, and means for adjusting the compression of said springs.

8. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing formed as a body portion and an end closure member, said body portion having a partition forming a chamber on one side adapted to be connected to a iiuid container to be drained and one on the other side open to the atmosphere, said partition having a port therethrough and a valve seat around said port on both faces of said partition, a pair of valves mounted on a stem extending through said port and movable axially thereof to engage one or the other seat to close the port to passage of fluid in one direction or the other, or stand spaced from both, and a piston with a plunger guided by said closure member for axial movement therein, receiving and guiding the adjacent end portion of said valve stem, and adapted to move said stern, said piston being actuated for that purpose by fluid pressure and returned by spring pressure.

9. A drain valve device comprising, in combination, a casing having a chamber connected to a container to be drained and one with a port open to the atmosphere, a partition separating said chambers and provided with a port around which are formed valve seats on opposite sides of said partition, a pair of valves mounted for simultaneous axial movement, one in each chamber, means connecting said valves for simultaneous operation, spring means disposed at one side only of said valves and acting on said connecting means for balancing said valves in neutral position spaced from their seats, whereby said valves are respectively responsive to fluid pressure i'n their chambers to engage either seat and close the port alternately to passage of iiuid in one direction or the other, but unresponsive to liquid not under substantial pressure, and manually controlled fluid pressure operated means adapted to act on said valves for unseating that in the container-connected chamber even when acted on by fluid pressure in said chamber.

PAUL F. MUELLER. 

